Thursday, November 29, 2012

Revenue Purpose Statement

I want to remind our Borlaug community about the presentation by Superintendent Murley on the new Revenue Purpose Statement. The presentation is scheduled for December 11th at 7:30 pm at Borlaug Elementary in our multi-purpose room. This presentation will discuss the need for a new Revenue Purpose Statement and how it will benefit all of our students. All parents are invited to attend.  Information is also available at iowacityschools.org.
Thank you,
Celeste Shoppa, Principal

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

“Minute to Win It!” Celebration

I want to thank our Borlaug Positive Behavior Supports & Intervention (PBIS) Team who created an outstanding school-wide reward, “Minute to Win It!”
On Tuesday, November 20th,  Borlaug Elementary celebrated reaching 15,000 tickets for being respectful, responsible, and safe.  The creative teaching staff brainstormed a hilarious hour of fun.   We presented our very first and very own version of “Minute to Win It!”   Each grade level had students chosen to play out a challenge in front of the entire Borlaug community.   The Borlaug students and staff cheered on the participants, creating an environment of positive sportsmanship. It was great to see so many parents join us in celebrating our PBIS accomplishment as well!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Celeste Shoppa, Principal

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Borlaug's Stuffed Animal Day & Minute to Win It Reward

Hello Borlaug Families and Staff,
This is Principal Shoppa with a few reminders.  Our Borlaug Student Council is sponsoring Stuffed Animal Day, which is this Friday, November 16th. Your student may choose to bring a stuff animal to share in a day at Borlaug.  Please be sure the stuffed animal is no larger than what can fit in a backpack.
On Tuesday, November 20th Borlaug Elementary will celebrate reaching 15,000 tickets for being respectful, responsible, and safe.  The creative teaching staff has brainstormed an hilarious afternoon of fun.   We present to you, our very first and very own version of “Minute to Win It!”   Each grade level will have students chosen to play out a challenge in front of the entire Borlaug community.   Feel free to join us on Tuesday, November 20, at 2 pm in the gymnasium.   It might be fun to have a parent or two join in the festivities!! 
One last reminder is that next week only a two day week due to Thanksgiving break starting on Wednesday, November 21st. 
Thank you for all of your support as it is greatly appreciated by all!
Sincerely,
Celeste Shoppa, Principal

Monday, November 5, 2012

Borlaug November News

Hello Borlaug Families and Staff,

Below is the link to our Borlaug Bulletin for November 5, 2012. 

We hope you enjoy this link to a slide show of Borlaug Halloween photos. http://www.edline.net/pages/Borlaug_Elementary_School/About_Our_School/Halloween_Parade

You will find on our Borlaug Website two new flyers:
1.      BOOST  - Building Opportunities Outside of School Time:
·         BOOST is an after school tutoring program for K-4th graders from Borlaug Elementary. It will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center.  One-on-one homework help and tutoring is provided as well as educational field trips!

2.      Project Holiday:
·         A special service provided each year by The Crisis Center Food Bank to distribute foods for Johnson County families in need to prepare their traditional holiday meal in December. The Food Bank provides a variety of food options and clients will be able to choose the best items for their family.

Thank you,
Celeste Shoppa, Principal

Monday, October 22, 2012

Borlaug will celebrate its first Spirit Day!

On Friday, October 26, Borlaug will celebrate its first Spirit Day.  We are inviting all students and staff to wear our school colors, black and gold!   Won’t it be fun to see our entire school decked out in our favorite Bulldog colors?  Go Bulldogs!  So, clean out those closets and dig up the black and gold!  Woof!  Woof!

We want to remind our Borlaug Community that this week, Oct. 22-26, we are participating in “Stock the Pantry Johnson County” as part of Make a Difference Day. A flyer came home last week explaining this is a community wide food drive, and Borlaug classrooms will have donation areas for the students to bring non-perishable food items.   We thank you for your generosity.


Monday, October 15, 2012

Stock the Pantry Johnson County Project

Borlaug Elementary is participating in the Stock the Pantry Johnson County project as part of Make a Difference Day.  To participate, have your student bring non-perishable food items to school anytime between October 22 and 26th.  Each classroom will have a collection site.  Stock the Pantry Johnson County is a community food drive that will benefit the three local food pantry's,  the Crisis Center, North Liberty Pantry and the Coralville Ecumenical Food Pantry.  This is a community wide food drive that has set an ambitious goal of 100,000 pounds of food, which will supply the three pantry’s for one month during their busiest time.
Thank you,
Celeste Shoppa, Principal

Monday, October 8, 2012

October Update

September 20th was a very memorable day as we celebrated the opening of Borlaug Elementary and the humanitarian for which we are named, Dr. Norman Borlaug.  We celebrated our school through song and presentation about Dr. Borlaug and his life’s accomplishments and philosophy.  Dr. Borlaug’s daughter, Jeanie Borlaug Laube, and his first cousin, Allen Borlaug, were impressed by the building but more importantly by our students.  I want to thank all who were able to attend and to those who made the day such a success!

During the months of September and October, your child(ren) have and will be participating in a variety of assessments. The assessments assist teachers in identifying areas of strengths, areas for growth, and ultimately the information will result in guiding instruction. In September, district reading tests were administered. During October 15-19, students in grades 3-6 will take the Iowa Assessments, formally known as ITBS. This test covers Reading, Language and Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies. During the final week of October, students in sixth grade will take the Iowa Youth Survey.

Parent teacher conferences will soon be approaching.  It is our goal to have 100% participation in our fall and spring conferences.  If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for a conference time, please contact your child’s teacher to set a time and date.  We have two night conference dates, November 1st and 8th, and we have conferences all day on November 9th. Thank you for your participation in this process and for supporting your child’s education.